Ⅸ. Writing. 书面表达。
学校英语报正在以"Natural Disasters"为主题面向全校师生进行征文。请根据下面的问题提示,写一篇不少于70词的英语短文,向学校英语报编辑部投稿。
问题提示:
1. What was the natural disaster?
2. What were you doing during the natural disaster?
3. How should we prepare for and stay safe in the natural disaster?

One possible version:
Natural Disasters
Last year, there was a small earthquake in our city. At that time, I was having a math class. The teacher told us to stay calm and hide under our desks. After the shaking stopped, we walked down the stairs carefully.
To prepare for earthquakes, we should keep an emergency kit with water, food and a flashlight. During an earthquake, we must not use elevators. If we are indoors, we should stay away from windows and heavy furniture. If we are outside, we need to find an open area and avoid buildings and trees.
In conclusion, knowing how to stay safe during natural disasters is very important. We should always be prepared and follow the right steps to protect ourselves.

1. 确定主题为“Natural Disasters”，选择常见的地震（earthquake）作为具体灾害。
2. 描述灾害发生时正在做的事，用过去进行时（was/were doing）。
3. 分点说明准备措施和安全方法，用情态动词（should/must）及祈使句。
4. 控制字数，确保不少于70词，语言符合八年级下册水平。

1. I can name different natural disasters and talk about their impacts.
The tsunami swept through the village.

The earthquake destroyed many houses. The flood submerged the farmland.")

2. I can describe people's actions before, during, and after a natural disaster.
It was raining hard while we were driving back.

(1) Before it started raining, we were watching TV at home.
(2) After the rain stopped, we drove back home safely.

题目要求描述在自然灾害（如大雨）前、期间和之后人们的行动。原句“It was raining hard while we were driving back.”描述的是在雨中的情况，即“期间”。需要补充描述“之前”以及“之后”的情况，形成完整的动作序列。根据题意和年级知识范围，用过去进行时或过去式描述不同时间点的动作。

3. I can talk about what people were doing during an event in the past.
What were you doing while it was snowing heavily? I was traveling on the train then.

What were they doing when the rainstorm came? They were having a picnic in the park then.

题目要求根据示例完成关于过去事件中人们正在做什么的对话。示例中问句用过去进行时"What were you doing while..."，答句用过去进行时"I was..."。需仿照此结构，围绕过去某个事件中人们的行为提问并回答。

4. I know how to prepare for and stay safe in bad weather or natural disasters.

First, prepare an emergency kit with food, water and a flashlight. Second, pay attention to weather forecasts and warnings. Third, stay indoors and avoid windows during a storm.

题目要求列举在恶劣天气或自然灾害中做好准备和保持安全的方法，结合八年级下册相关知识，可从准备应急物品、关注预警信息、采取安全躲避措施等方面回答。

Answer the big question after learning this unit
How do natural disasters affect our lives?

本题要求根据人教版八年级下册相关单元内容，阐述自然灾害如何影响我们的生活，可从人身安全、生活物资、基础设施等方面作答。
1. Natural disasters can cause a lot of damage and take lives. (自然灾害会造成大量破坏并夺去生命。)
2. They can destroy homes, leaving people without places to live. (它们可以摧毁房屋，使人们无家可归。)
3. Natural disasters may also cut off basic supplies like water and electricity, making daily life difficult. (自然灾害还可能切断水电等基本供应，使日常生活变得困难。)